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Projected college football rankings after Ohio State loss

By John Buhler

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Garrett Sickels (90) sacks Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Garrett Sickels (90) sacks Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes falling to the rival Penn State Nittany Lions, here is what the Top 10 of the AP Top 25 Poll could look like in Week 9.

The Penn State Nittany Lions were able to upset the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night in Happy Valley, 24-21. Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin gets his first signature win at the helm. To think — he was on the seat only a month ago.

This loss will knock the Buckeyes down a peg in 2016. They have to win out to reach the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis. Who knows if Ohio State would even win that game over the Big Ten West champion to reach the third annual College Football Playoff.

With Ohio State’s first loss of the season, here is what the Top 10 of the AP Top 25 Poll could look like entering Week 9:

  1. Alabama Crimson Tide
  2. Michigan Wolverines
  3. Washington Huskies
  4. Clemson Tigers
  5. Louisville Cardinals
  6. Nebraska Cornhuskers
  7. Baylor Bears
  8. Texas A&M Aggies
  9. Ohio State Buckeyes
  10. West Virginia Mountaineers

Alabama would hold on to the No. 1 spot because the Crimson Tide are just better than everybody else. Until Alabama loses, the Crimson Tide retain the No. 1 overall ranking. Ohio State’s arch rival Michigan moves up to No. 2 this week. Jim Harbaugh is doing a phenomenal job in his second season in Ann Arbor.

Coming in at No. 3 has to be Chris Petersen’s Washington program. The Huskies continue to beat the snot out of whomever they play in the Pac-12. Washington leapfrogs Clemson, who come in at No. 4 in next week’s poll.

Rounding out the top five is Louisville. The Cardinals are the best one-loss team in Division I football and they have Heisman Trophy front-runner Lamar Jackson. Enough said.

At No. 6 would be another Big Ten undefeated in Mike Riley’s Nebraska program. The Cornhuskers are playing for their late punter Sam Foltz this season. Nebraska feels like a team of destiny in the Big Ten West.

The first Big 12 team to emerge in the AP Top 25 Poll will be Baylor at No. 7. To win despite having all the off-season issues involving Art Briles’ firing is very impressive of the job interim head coach Jim Grobe is doing. Maybe he’s the solution in Waco after all?

Next: Best college quarterback born in every state

The two big losers in Week 8 come in at No. 8 and No. 9 respectively in Texas A&M and Ohio State. Texas A&M has been less erratic over the Buckeyes and have more meaningful wins. Coming in at No. 10 is undefeated West Virginia. Maybe the Big 12 does get a team into the College Football Playoff after all? Baylor and West Virginia look legit.

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